Incredible. Absolutely shaking. Utterly mesmerising.
Just some of the phrases I have seen attributed to EastEnders king Steve McFadden, aka legendary TV character Phil Mitchell.
It’s impossible to even question it. In fact, he’s not just one of EastEnders’ finest actors – he’s one of the best in Britain by a long chalk.
You don’t have to have seen a single episode of EastEnders to know who Phil Mitchell is.
Steve has always played menacing yet vulnerable, angry yet funny incredibly well.
He is a well deserved stalwart of the show and Walford is unimaginable without him.
It’s never been in doubt already that he shatters the stereotypical sceptcism and snobbery around soap actors.
But recently, at the centre of a depression and psychosis story for his alter-ego, Steve has really shown what he is made of.
Many in the UK can relate to mental health struggles in some way, with statistics around male suicide incredibly high.
In a slow burn storyline, commencing before most viewers even clicked there was anything wrong with Phil, he sunk into loneliness and despair.
He cut himself off from family, fell into hermit-like behaviour and found his house becoming messy.
He has had a tough life, often of his own making. In a powerful episode earlier this year, which explored his four weeks in a mental health unit, Phil’s vulnerability was truly on show.
And before this, just ahead of him going into the unit, with his talking fast and slurred, his words erratic, his refusal to look at Jay while talking, and his choked and tearful voice, Steve delivered Phil’s desperate cry for help in an impeccable way.
I, like many others, have been there. Steve, whether through personal knowledge or extensive research, captured that bleakness perfectly.
Phil listed everything that should have killed him – alcoholism, violence, heart attacks, shootings to name but a few – and still, he had been unable to die.
With suicidal ideation, it was clear where Phil’s mind was travelling. We have seen him make financial gestures amid a fluctuating mood – some classic signs of potential danger.
Even in smaller scenes where he refused social and family invitations, but insisted repeatedly that he was fine, I was left close to tears.
Like actors in the UK given far, far more acclaim, he is hypnotic with every word he delivers and every physical gesture he makes.
Need support?
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Their HOPELINE247 is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. You can call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org.
He is not given the credit he deserves and, notoriously private and keen to just focus on his craft, I imagine this is something that he takes in his stride.
Steve isn’t in it for the fame or the popularity; he has said in the past that he deliberately doesn’t dissect his own acting in interviews as it takes the magic away.
But whatever his approach is, it works – there is a pretty much unanimous view that he is a UK national treasure.
Amid snobbery towards soaps, there are many examples of shining stars, some who remain with the shows and some who go on to other things.
But soap isn’t just a training ground for actors who then flourish elsewhere, it’s a home of some absolutely incredible performances.
Steve McFadden is the ultimate testament to that.
This article was first published on March 21, 2025.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
Share your views in the comments below.
